There seems to have been a lot of threads lately on where to put babies or new birds, how to separate, and basically what to do with birds that can't be put into the main coop yet.
So how many different coops/pens/brooders etc do you have on hand to make these transitions and what do you use them for?
I have the main coop, an 8x10 shed with a 10x10 run. I try to keep between 5 and 10 birds in it. It's always changing though as I try different breeds and keep the majority as young. I have 3 old ladies I'll never sell, but the rest change once a year.
To make it more complicated, I only add chicks that I hatch, or buy from a trusted source. Sometimes there is a dramatic age difference.
So I also have an 8x3 outdoor hutch, to use for a broody hen or babies growing in size to move to the main coop. Usually it sits empty, but there are 4 pullets in it now. I have a Black Star hen that doesn't want them in the coop yet, and if she keeps trying to drive that point, she'll end up sold since her replacement is already here.
3 large dog crates. I use those for directly adding birds to the coop, so that the others can see them but they can't fight right off. Or they're great for getting the babies on grass for the day, protected from hawks. If they're real little, I'll attach some hardware cloth to the cage sides to prevent escape. I can also set these up in the basement or garage for larger groups of babies, lining the sides with cardboard, and putting a lamp in each one. They all fold down, in case I have too many and have to take some to a swap. Or, bring an empty one to a swap.
1 plastic tote brooder, for the first 2 weeks. I cut out the lid and replaced the center with hardware cloth.
1 wire bottom brooder/hutch, for ducklings, or any foot injuries. I used it for a hen who cut her foot, bandaged it, and then the wire kept her from walking in poo and potentially worsening an infection. It healed pretty quick. Keeps ducklings dry, since their water waste falls into a tote that fits the bottom.
1 galvanized dog whelping box. Makes a great brooder, 3x3. I cut some 2x4 welded wire fencing to make a lid. Raised pan edges retain bedding, too tall for it to get scratched out. It's high enough to house adult birds if needed too. Scored it on craigslist for $30.
Then I have various pieces of fencing, so that I can set up a temporary run, or divide the coop down the middle (it has 2 front doors and 2 pop doors, in case I just divide it down the middle) or to protect young plants from the birds or rabbits... just a lot of fencing, from hardware cloth to long sections of 4 ft field fence. Don't throw it away! I have enough on hand to build a whole new brooder if I need even more space for awhile.
I've learned over the years that it's not a bad idea to have space options. So what all do the rest of you have for added space?
Used to sell brooders when I was done, thinking my flock was perfect and wouldn't change. Then something catches my eye again and that incubator gets plugged in....
So how many different coops/pens/brooders etc do you have on hand to make these transitions and what do you use them for?
I have the main coop, an 8x10 shed with a 10x10 run. I try to keep between 5 and 10 birds in it. It's always changing though as I try different breeds and keep the majority as young. I have 3 old ladies I'll never sell, but the rest change once a year.
To make it more complicated, I only add chicks that I hatch, or buy from a trusted source. Sometimes there is a dramatic age difference.
So I also have an 8x3 outdoor hutch, to use for a broody hen or babies growing in size to move to the main coop. Usually it sits empty, but there are 4 pullets in it now. I have a Black Star hen that doesn't want them in the coop yet, and if she keeps trying to drive that point, she'll end up sold since her replacement is already here.
3 large dog crates. I use those for directly adding birds to the coop, so that the others can see them but they can't fight right off. Or they're great for getting the babies on grass for the day, protected from hawks. If they're real little, I'll attach some hardware cloth to the cage sides to prevent escape. I can also set these up in the basement or garage for larger groups of babies, lining the sides with cardboard, and putting a lamp in each one. They all fold down, in case I have too many and have to take some to a swap. Or, bring an empty one to a swap.
1 plastic tote brooder, for the first 2 weeks. I cut out the lid and replaced the center with hardware cloth.
1 wire bottom brooder/hutch, for ducklings, or any foot injuries. I used it for a hen who cut her foot, bandaged it, and then the wire kept her from walking in poo and potentially worsening an infection. It healed pretty quick. Keeps ducklings dry, since their water waste falls into a tote that fits the bottom.
1 galvanized dog whelping box. Makes a great brooder, 3x3. I cut some 2x4 welded wire fencing to make a lid. Raised pan edges retain bedding, too tall for it to get scratched out. It's high enough to house adult birds if needed too. Scored it on craigslist for $30.
Then I have various pieces of fencing, so that I can set up a temporary run, or divide the coop down the middle (it has 2 front doors and 2 pop doors, in case I just divide it down the middle) or to protect young plants from the birds or rabbits... just a lot of fencing, from hardware cloth to long sections of 4 ft field fence. Don't throw it away! I have enough on hand to build a whole new brooder if I need even more space for awhile.
I've learned over the years that it's not a bad idea to have space options. So what all do the rest of you have for added space?
Used to sell brooders when I was done, thinking my flock was perfect and wouldn't change. Then something catches my eye again and that incubator gets plugged in....
